Homestay at Yuksom with excellent view and gracious hosts

Homestay Overview

This beautiful Homestay in Yuksom is superbly located in a quiet and peaceful environment just above the Kathok Lake. It is mainly a warm, friendly family run homestay cum hotel. It takes five minute walk from the motorway followed by a well constructed footpath until doorway. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, nicely decorated and big. All rooms have attached bathroom with shower and in some with bath-tubs in European style.The deluxe rooms have a balcony with the most amazing view and on a clear day one can get a view of snow-capped Mt Kabru. The homestay has an amazing organic garden where they grow their vegetables and a varied flower garden as well. Kids will absolutely love the open spaces where they can run around. The place also has a library with a computer and an internet connection and their dining room also has a TV. Icing on the cake is the amazing food – the momos and thukpas,buckwheat pancakes, omlettes. Carry extra cash because you’ll want to stay longer than planned!

It’s idyllic surroundings are for those looking for tranquility, solitude and peaceful holiday. There are single, double and family rooms with well wooden furnished, private balconies to enjoy the open breathtaking views of the magnificent mountain, valleys and hills, as well captures the charm of the Mt. Kabur. The property also has a restaurant serving exciting dishes freshly cooked, traditional dinners and an inviting bar with a selection of real ales, beers and some home made alcohol.The favourite part of most guest’s is the front facade/lawn which consists of fantastically well manicured gardens with rich tapestry of flowers blooming around.It is a vast area where on can just sit and chill with friends and have breakfast/tea/coffee there. Stargazing is a must at night.Excellent views, excellent facilities and a very hospitable family.

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About the Location

Yuksom is a small town in West Sikkim known for its gorgeous landscape and snow-capped mountains. Also known as the “gateway to Kangchendzonga”, the town is known for its monasteries and Buddhist heritage as well. Located at an altitude of 1780 m, Yuksom, Sikkim’s first capital, has a religious connotation attached to the place as it symbolically represents ‘the third eye of Sikkim‘. The cradle of Sikkim’s Buddhist heritage, Yuksom is the auspicious site where three venerated saints congregated to enthrone the first king, Phuntsog Namgyal in AD 1642.

Apart from having religious importance, the town also has numerous lakes and monasteries to visit. For the adventurer, Yuksom is the portal to the popular Dzongri and Goecha La treks that offer stunning views of mighty Khangchendzonga. Travellers eager for tranquil idyllic locations will find the ideal vacation retreat in this far flung outpost with its serene vistas amidst lush forests and verdant farmlands.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) which is about 150km from Yuksom. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, 12km west of Siliguri, about 170km from Yuksom.

Be careful to leave NJP/Bagdogra by 11 am as it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Yuksom via Jorethang. The road to Yuksom is poorly lit and it is not advisable to travel at night.

Places of Interest

Khecheopalri Lake: It is a lovely lake, also known as the wish fulfilling lake, located near Kanchenjunga Waterfalls. The lake is surrounded by forests. The water in the lake remains clean all through the year. It is said that a pair of swans pick up all the twigs that fall in the water and keep it clean. About an hour uphill trek from the lake (1.5kms) there is a monastery known as Khecheopalri Monastery from where the lake looks like that of a left footprint.

Norbugang Coronation Throne :
The Norbugang Coronation Throne is of great religious and cultural importance because this is where Phutsog Namgyal was crowned as the first Chogyal of Sikkim. Meeting place of three Lamas who came from Tibet. A Lama’s footprint is etched into the rock. Peaceful hilltop park with big trees, prayer wheels, flags, etc. The site also has a park that has a prayer hall, a prayer wheel and a stupa. The complex also has a little holy lake which is called the Kathok Lake. The Buddhist prayer flags adorn the entire place and emit a divine feeling into the air. This place is the epitome of Yuksom’s cultural and religious heritage.

Dubdi Monastery:Said to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim. Steep 30 min walk through the forest, on a well marked trail starting at Yuksom hospital. Out the monastery back gate a path continues up another 10 minutes to a hilltop meadow with a panoramic view. The Dubdi Monastery translates into ‘the retreat’. It was built in the year 1701 and is said to have been established by Chogyar Namgyal. The monastery is also known as the Yuksom Monastery and is situated on a beautiful patch of green land. The interiors have beautifully painted and carved Buddhist designs and houses pictures of saints, Buddhist symbols and even manuscripts. The monastery is a must see while in Yuksom.

Kartok Monastery: The Kartok Monastery is located opposite to the Kartok lake and is one of the most important monasteries in Yuksom. The Gompa has been named after a lama who was part of the coronation of the maiden ruler of Sikkim. Kartok monastery is part of three important monasteries at Yuksom. Two other important monasteries are: the Dubdi Monastery and the Ngadak Chorling Monastery.